Abstract: A seed pod shatter test system for determining the resistance to seed pod shattering in various plants, wherein the system comprises a mobile platform that is structured and operable to traverse at least one row of plants growing in plot, and at least one plant engaging head mounted to a front of the mobile platform. The at least one plant engaging head is structured and operable to condition each of the plurality of plants by contacting each of the plants in the row(s) with a predetermined amount of force as the mobile platform traverse the row(s) of plants. The system additionally comprises a data collections and analysis system that is structured and operable to determine an amount of seed pod shattering that occurred in the plurality of plants as a result of the conditioning.

Abstract: A compensating damper comprises opposed working end faces, a hermetically sealed chamber between the working end faces, and a set of plates in the chamber with a film of viscous fluid between each pair of adjacent plates. The damper has at least two different film thickness zones across the set of plates, each of the different film thickness zones providing a different resistance response when acted upon by an outside force exerted on at least one of the opposed working end faces. Multiple internal guide pins may extend axially from the opposed working end faces for engaging the plate stack partially from each of said working end faces to increase the stroke while providing for a compact damper. The plates may have a conical configuration to providing dampening in different plans.

Abstract: A force limiting device has a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A compensating damper comprises opposed working end faces, a hermetically sealed chamber between the working end faces, and a set of plates in the chamber with a film of viscous fluid between each pair of adjacent plates. The damper has at least two different film thickness zones across the set of plates, each of the different film thickness zones providing a different resistance response when acted upon by an outside force exerted on at least one of the opposed working end faces. Multiple internal guide pins may extend axially from the opposed working end faces for engaging the plate stack partially from each of said working end faces to increase the stroke while providing for a compact damper. The plates may have a conical configuration to providing dampening in different plans.

Abstract: A compensating damper comprises opposed working end faces (1788), a hermetically sealed chamber between the working end faces, and a set of plates (1701) in the chamber with a film of viscous fluid between each pair of adjacent plates. The damper has at least two different film thickness zones across the set of plates, each of the different film thickness zones providing a different resistance response when acted upon by an outside force exerted on at least one of the opposed working end faces. Multiple internal guide pins (1723) may extend axially from the opposed working end faces for engaging the plate stack partially from each of said working end faces to increase the stroke while providing for a compact damper. The plates may have a conical configuration to providing dampening in different plans.

Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A Self-adjusting Gunstock Recoil Pad comprises of an intermediary mounting plate with individually movable segments bearing against a ring. The elastic ring is forced outwards by each segment, and provides a field-adjustable external contour matching individual variations in profile of gun-to-recoil-pad interfaces. A recess in the plate holds a wedge captive by a pin through a slot in the wedge, the wedge when inserted engages bosses protruding from the pad into a receiver and forms an attachment between the gun and pad which is reversible by use of a hook shaped wrench applied to a receiving profile in the plate, the profile guides the action of the wrench in pulling the wedge out. The plate is assembled from two layers to confine the wedge as an assembly by use of tabs in one layer engaging interference-fit cut-outs in the other layer.

Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A compensating damper comprises opposed working end faces (1788), a hermetically sealed chamber between the working end faces, and a set of plates (1701) in the chamber with a film of viscous fluid between each pair of adjacent plates. The damper has at least two different film thickness zones across the set of plates, each of the different film thickness zones providing a different resistance response when acted upon by an outside force exerted on at least one of the opposed working end faces. Multiple internal guide pins (1723) may extend axially from the opposed working end faces for engaging the plate stack partially from each of said working end faces to increase the stroke while providing for a compact damper. The plates may have a conical configuration to providing dampening in different plans.

Abstract: An electronic controller module for controlling outward movement of the piston comprises an input/output port and a processor module. The processor module determines a prescribed movement speed and sends a motor command via the port at an initial motor speed. The motor causes the outward movement. The port receives speed measurements. The processor module attempts to match the measurements to a prescribed speed by sending successive motor commands via the port.

Abstract: A device for controlling displacement of a syringe piston comprises a handheld casing, first and second engagement means. The first engagement means is formed exteriorly of the casing to engage the syringe's finger flange. The second engagement means slides on a first axis relative to the casing and engages the thumb rest. The device comprises means within the casing to cause the second engagement means to move along the first axis, causing the piston to move outwardly. An electronic controller module for controlling outward movement of the piston comprises an input/output port and a processor module. The processor module determines a prescribed movement speed and sends a motor command via the port at an initial motor speed. The motor causes the outward movement. The port receives speed measurements. The processor module attempts to match the measurements to a prescribed speed by sending successive motor commands via the port.

Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.

Abstract: A device for controlling displacement of a syringe piston comprises a handheld casing, first and second engagement means. The first engagement means is formed exteriorly of the casing to engage the syringe's finger flange. The second engagement means slides on a first axis relative to the casing and engages the thumb rest. The device comprises means within the casing to cause the second engagement means to move along the first axis, causing the piston to move outwardly. An electronic controller module for controlling outward movement of the piston comprises an input/output port and a processor module. The processor module determines a prescribed movement speed and sends a motor command via the port at an initial motor speed. The motor causes the outward movement. The port receives speed measurements. The processor module attempts to match the measurements to a prescribed speed by sending successive motor commands via the port.

Abstract: The ticket presenter is mountable to a printer having a tear bar therein, for receiving a printed ticket, for pulling on that ticket in a controlled manner, for severing the ticket against the tear bar of the printer and for presenting the ticket to a customer. A paper inlet switch mounted inside the ticket presenter has a lever extending in the inlet path of the ticket presenter for monitoring the extent of a loop formed in the strip of ticket paper in the inlet path. A tension roller system is mounted on a downstream side of the paper inlet switch, and pulls on the strip of ticket paper with a speed that is controlled by the position of the lever of the paper inlet switch in the inlet path. The speed and functions of the ticket presenter are thereby synchronized to the speed and functions of the ticket printer.